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In this week’s Journal Club, Ben and Daphna unpack a wide range of recent neonatal studies with pragmatic, practice-centered discussion. First, they explore a study on low-dose dexamethasone for BPD in preterm infants, showing potential benefits in brain development and motor outcomes—despite ongoing concerns about long-term effects. Next, they discuss a large dataset analysis of oxygen and respiratory support trajectories in extremely preterm infants, offering real-world FiO2 trends and benchmarks that may help frame clinical decisions and counseling.

They also examine the diagnostic limits of consumer-grade pulse oximeters, like the Owlet, comparing their accuracy to hospital-grade monitors—raising real concerns about missed events. A safe sleep initiative study offers evidence that modeling and education during birth hospitalization can improve post-discharge sleep practices, especially across different demographic groups. Finally, they review parent engagement with NICU-focused online health communities, identifying both the benefits and potential friction these platforms create in team-family communication.

From cerebral oxygenation during kangaroo care to the use of enemas in ELBW infants, this episode covers it all—with a focus on what clinicians can take back to the bedside.

Listen in and join the conversation.

As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

Enjoy!